Kickstarter: Detroit's Historic Places of Worship book

[Kathleen]

Given all the discussions we've had about Detroit's historic churches, this Wayne State University Press book project sounds like something that many would be interested in. They are using Kickstarter to raise funds to print the book fully illustrated in color. The authors have been compiling the church histories for years, and the photographer has done some really beautiful work!!

The goal is to raise $10,000. As of today, they are at 57% of that goal. Deadline is December 31.

Details at http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...ces-of-worship

[Zacha341]

Fantastic article K. Wonderful photos! I want to check this out further.....

[Kathleen]

Here's a concise description of the scope of the book:

Detroit's Historic Places of Worship features 37 churches, 8 denominations, over 150 years of history, and 116 architects, artisans, and craftspeople. No other such history of Detroit's houses of worship exists.

[Kathleen]

Calling all you architectural and art historians!!!! The authors have posted an update [[#3) asking for information on some of the artisans that did work on some of the churches. Can you fill in any gaps?

************************************************** *********************************************
Bernasconi, Peter [[born??, died??) stone carver at Historic Trinity Lutheran Church working with Corrado Parducci; also worked for a Detroit monument company.

Duchene, Jeffrey [[b. 1955?, ??) decorative painter along with his brother Matthew [[born 1950?, died 1998?) ; worked in several Detroit churches as well as auditorium areas of the DIA.

DiLorenzo, Thomas [[born 1892?, died?) [[married Constance Uttley) Italian born, decorative painter at several Detroit churches as well as the Music Hall, lobbies of several Detroit theaters and lobbies of several U of M buildings.

Herbert, A. Kay [[born 1878 - died??) [[wife Mary born 1888; from No. Wales) Born in Scotland, came to the US in the 1920s where he designed stained glass for Central United Methodist Church [[now Little Rock Baptist Church), Cranbrook schools and many Detroit homes; mentioned in 1936 city directory.

Hintz, George [[born?, died?) born in the Ukraine, assisted with design and fabrication of icons at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Hamtramck.

Kohner, Henry [[Henrik) [[born 1884, died ?) wife Sara, children Alex, Harold, Jimmy, Irene. Born in Hungary, came to New York and then to Detroit; designed numerous Detroit homes and theaters, several hotels, and Holy Cross Hungarian Church in Delray area.

Rogers, Byron [[born?, died?) Decorative painter and muralist....painted the ceiling and chancel at St. Joseph and St. Matthew Episcopal Church.

Schweikart, Walter [[born ca 1833, d ??) [[a son John [[1870-1954) and Carl…family may have owned an ice house and the brothers may have raced boats.) German born, stone mason of the gargoyles at Saint John's Episcopal Church; gateways at Mt. Elliot and Elmwood cemeteries.

vanLeyen, Edward. [[born 1867, died ?) wife Mary Wells/1892 [[1930 Census.) Detroit born, trained to be an architect; partnered with Edward Schilling on many Catholic churches in Detroit, as well as numerous high schools through Michigan and Ohio.

[Kathleen]

Pledges are now up to 67%!!!

Details at http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...ces-of-worship

[Kathleen]

Wow!!! Pledges are up to 79%, an increase of 22% in just the last 2 days. Thanks to the DYes'rs that are supporting this project.


Last week the authors appeared on WDET's Craig Fahle Show. Listen to the segment here:
http://wdetfm.org/shows/craig-fahle-...es-of-worship/

[Kathleen]

Now at the 80% mark!! With 22 days to go, the $10,000 target seems very reachable!!

[Kathleen]

Up to nearly 84% pledged!!

In case you'd like to see sample pages on the Central Methodist Church:
http://issuu.com/wsupress/docs/pages_from_dhpow

[Kathleen]

90% pledged!!

Please consider making a pledge [[check out the Rewards incentives) to make this book happen. It sounds like it will be a wonderful tribute to Detroit's church history!! And the architects and artisans too!

[Kathleen]

100% pledged...and still growing!!! I am so looking forward to seeing this book published in 2012.

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...ces-of-worship

[DetroitZack]

Can't wait to get this book! I always thought it would be awesome to make a thorough, informative website showing all of Detroit's old churches. But damn that would be one hell of a project. Surely no city around has as many beautiful churches as we do.

[Kathleen]

Keep the pledges coming!!

Here's another sneak peak...the St. Florian's pages:
http://issuu.com/wsupress/docs/st_florian